D&D (2024) 2024 PHB Background discussion

[Lojaan]

I will also echo, so much that I don’t see the point of having backgrounds at all. Frankly custom backgrounds are going to be so much stringer anyway, the base ones are just a trap.

If they are going this route, then simply say:

Background abilities: choose two skills, one language, 50 gp in starting equipment, and one 1st level feat.

Don’t make it a whole big mechanical “thing” when it’s really not anymore

This. 100% this.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I will also echo, so much that I don’t see the point of having backgrounds at all. Frankly custom backgrounds are going to be so much stringer anyway, the base ones are just a trap.

If they are going this route, then simply say:

Background abilities: choose two skills, one language, 50 gp in starting equipment, and one 1st level feat.

Don’t make it a whole big mechanical “thing” when it’s really not anymore

The sample ones are just packages for quick char-gen. I think they're important both as ways to make quick choices, and as examples on how to build your own with more story-meat than just picking stuff.

Though I respect those who found them useful, I say "good riddance" to BIFTs. They were a waste of space. Though anecdotal, I have never seen a 5e table use them in any of my groups in either the USA or Austria.

I agree. It's not that I think the game is better off without them, but I think a simpler system could be devised. I also think that Background is a strange place to put them. It's possible that they're still around, but under Alignment, or Character Details (like height and weight - another thing that I haven't seen many people bother with in recent years).

 

[Minigiant]

Those count as Tool Proficiencies, just like Instruments and Gaming Sets.

It's not in any of the sample backgrounds nor the glossary.

RIP Charioteers and Boaters.

Sailors can't sail boats.

 

[Remathilis]

Though I respect those who found them useful, I say "good riddance" to BIFTs. They were a waste of space. Though anecdotal, I have never seen a 5e table use them in any of my groups in either the USA or Austria.

I will also echo, so much that I don’t see the point of having backgrounds at all. Frankly custom backgrounds are going to be so much stringer anyway, the base ones are just a trap.

If they are going this route, then simply say:

Background abilities: choose two skills, one language, 50 gp in starting equipment, and one 1st level feat.

Don’t make it a whole big mechanical “thing” when it’s really not anymore

I feel both of these are probably a step backwards. They were designed to support the Exploration and Social pillars of the game, and the removal of this system (stripped down to a buffet style of hard mechanical benefits) shows both the system didn't work as intended and that it was easier to scrap than fix it. It's again acknowledging that the exploration pillar is the realm of skill tests and social pillar of role-playing and occasionally skill tests.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

It's not in any of the sample backgrounds nor the glossary.

RIP Charioteers and Boaters.

Sailors can't sail boats.

It's more likely that EVERYONE can sail boats than that Sailors can't.

It's probable that they have a new system in mind for how vehicles work (likely based on stuff they learned working on Spelljammer's ship-to-ship rules, which still need work IMO) and that "tool proficiency check" is not going to be part of it.

IF so, I look forward to seeing what they have in mind.

 

[Minigiant]

It's more likely that EVERYONE can sail boats than that Sailors can't.

It's probable that they have a new system in mind for how vehicles work (likely based on stuff they learned working on Spelljammer's ship-to-ship rules, which still need work IMO) and that "tool proficiency check" is not going to be part of it.

IF so, I look forward to seeing what they have in mind.

I don't like everyone knowing how to sail a boat.

Soelljamming is magic and you become one with the shop with magic.

Sailing a sailboat through a storm should have the party turn to the party member or hireling with skill at it.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I don't like everyone knowing how to sail a boat.

Soelljamming is magic and you become one with the shop with magic.

Sailing a sailboat through a storm should have the party turn to the party member or hireling with skill at it.

As a one-time sailor (I don't have a boat now), I don't disagree.

But we don't know what the system they've come up with looks like. We haven't seen it yet (if indeed it exists at all).

If they ditch vehicle proficiencies and replace them with nothing, I can't say that I'd like that. I don't think that will happen, though.

 

[Minigiant]

As a one-time sailor (I don't have a boat now), I don't disagree.

But we don't know what the system they've come up with looks like. We haven't seen it yet (if indeed it exists at all).

If they ditch vehicle proficiencies and replace them with nothing, I can't say that I'd like that. I don't think that will happen, though.

I'm just mentioning it so that if it doesn't show up in a later UA, fans can realize "Hey Where's Vehicles" and write in surveys.

I've rolled more vehicles rolls than gaming rolls.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

It's not in any of the sample backgrounds nor the glossary.

RIP Charioteers and Boaters.

Sailors can't sail boats.

Nonsense. The absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence. The fact that the Sailor wasn't an example background in this document doesn't mean that it won't be one in the 2024 PHB.

Sailors can sail boats, and making a Custom Sailor Background allows you to take Sea Vehicle Proficiency.

I don't like everyone knowing how to sail a boat.

Soelljamming is magic and you become one with the shop with magic.

Sailing a sailboat through a storm should have the party turn to the party member or hireling with skill at it.

It's not that everyone can sail a boat, they didn't give automatic Sea Vehicles Proficiency to everyone, it's that anyone can choose to customize their background to give them Sea Vehicle Proficiency. They'd still have to justify having that proficiency in their background.

 

[Aldarc]

I feel both of these are probably a step backwards. They were designed to support the Exploration and Social pillars of the game, and the removal of this system (stripped down to a buffet style of hard mechanical benefits) shows both the system didn't work as intended and that it was easier to scrap than fix it. It's again acknowledging that the exploration pillar is the realm of skill tests and social pillar of role-playing and occasionally skill tests.

BIFTs were not well-designed. That's all it really acknowledges. Anything more than that is conjecture.